( WEEK ONE - HUNTERS )

[abhoth]

At exactly 6:00 PM on Monday night, something very strange will happen to you. Regardless of whatever you were doing or whatever you were planning to do, you will find yourself stopping midway. Numbness spreads from your toes to the top of your head. You feel no control of your body. Thousands of shivers roam up your nerves, controlling your limbs like strings to a limp puppet. You're aware of your body moving - out of the room and into the first floor hallway. It's not until you stop in front of the unmarked room nestled between the Kitchen and Laundry that you regain control of your body. A soft click, and the door creaks open. Inside the room you'll find a small group of people and Craftly seated at a round table. Shelves of antiques line the walls and the smell of peppermint tea wafts through the air. A thin tendril slips across the table from Craftly's sleeve, hooking around his cup of tea. As smug as ever, he smiles to you. "Come in, Hunter. It's time for us to begin". Welcome, Hunters! As you should have been told by now, you represent the "detective" faction of this game. It's your job to ICly suspect those around you and discover who belongs to the "mafia" faction before it's far too late. For this first mingle (and all others, really), we encourage your characters to get to know each other, shitpost to your heart's content, and share your personal roles. Remember to check the Hunter's Handbook for IC rules and information. We hope you have fun with your role! :) ( quick navigation ) ic rulebook | locations | statuses | room assignments private conversations | ic profiles | graveyard | full navigation hunter's handbook

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CONTRACT

[abhoth]

[ As each Hunter is forced to sit down at the table, regaining control of their bodies seconds after, Craftly proceeds to finish his tea. A moment later, those gathered around the small table will find a thin document and fountain pen slid towards them. ]

While I'm sure you're all eager to learn more about each other, there are some formalities we must get through first. Written on the document in front of you are the terms of a contract which grants you the chance to stop this whole ordeal. There is no happenstance that you were brought here. Hidden among you, there are people who have an advantage to do great harm. I'd like to prevent that.

[ The paper in front of you begins to glow - the text lit up with a gold hue. ]

If you so choose to accept, you will have my support no matter what occurs over the next few weeks. This is a solemn promise. There will be risks... oh my, the risks will be great - but only you four have the chance to help turn the tide in your favors. My role in this event is to preserve the rules, but that does not mean I can not make my own rules while restrained so snugly.

I'm not inept to believe you'll sign a contract without small print, so please ask your questions and be quick about it. However, if you're content, you'll find the tip of your pen is sharp enough to draw blood if you stab the right areas - I only require a drop.

[ :) ]

[ninjay]

[ well. this is certainly a thing.

jay waits for craftly to finish his explanation, and then he takes his time to read through the contract that's before him. it is, yes, pretty straightforward, although he raises his eyebrow at the fact that "do not meet the sun outside the confides of your room" is repeated here too. they sure want you to stay inside, huh.

he pauses once he sees what his reward is. ]

You can for sure grant this?

[abhoth]

I can. Though my role limits me to the rules of this twisted game, those rules allow me to grant any wish your heart desires. Well... After your stay at the Innsmouth Motel is over, of course.

[ninjay]

[ he deliberates for a moment, before reaching his pen and softly stabbing the tip of his finger to draw blood from it. ]

Very well. If we're going to be forced to play this game either way, then I would prefer to actually be able to do something about it.

[ blood for the blood gods or whatever, there you go. ]

[abhoth]

As would I. It is my solemn promise that I will provide aid whatever ways I am capable of.

[And with one of his tentafingers, he gestures at the bottom of the contract.]

A drop or your signatures. Either one will suffice.

[ninjay]

[ he nods, and just presses his bloody finger tip against the paper. ]

So, if all three of us die, then the only way the [ he frowns ] "Sacrifices" can end the game is when the numbers go down to three, like stated in the general rules, correct?

[abhoth]

Correct. And without your aid? Those three may very well be the Prophets themselves. The fate of those within this motel lays in your hands.

[And like that, Jay's blood will glow a golden hue on the contract before returning to its natural color.]

Do you have any additional inquiries?

[thawedheart]

[Yukina is quiet for a few long moments as she reads over her contract, and as she does, her expression becomes more serious - almost icy. After a moment, she speaks.]

When you say the Koorime race... I will be spared from what happens to the rest of them, correct?

[abhoth]

Correct. You will be spared, along with anyone else you may wish to save.

[Too bad Yukina doesn't care about any other living Koorime, right? :)]

[thawedheart]

...my brother as well, then. [Though she's not sure he counts as Koorime she's never met him THROWS HANDS IN THE AIR she just doesn't want a loophole to get him killed before she can find out who he is.]

Very well. [As long as she doesn't die and her brother doesn't die... she takes the pen, pricks her finger, and allows a drop of her blood to fall into her contract.]

[abhoth]

Splendid!

[And just like that, the drop of blood glows with a faint golden hue before returning to its natural color.]

I thank you for your cooperation. If you have any inquiries, it would be my honor to provide answers.

[thawedheart]

I do, yes.

[She folds her hands in her lap, being careful to keep the blood from staining her kimono.]

In your initial instructions to me, you mentioned monsters that lurk within the hotel. When can we expect to begin seeing them?

[abhoth]

They are already among you, Yukina. In fact, you may have already spoken to them - but I'm not one to monitor interactions between residents.

For you see, those monsters? They are the Prophets. The very ones you must seek and kill.

[nowyouseeit]

[honestly, Kaito looks like he's ready to bolt as soon as control is returned to his body. but he remains seated in his chair, gaze narrowed, hands clenched into fists against his legs]

[he's silent as he reads the contract. takes in Craftly's words. mulls the options over in his mind. he isn't a killer-- he isn't, he isn't, and the thought of becoming one leaves a very unpleasant lump in his throat]

[but then again, so does the thought of leaving the masses unprotected to be preyed upon by. . . Prophets, he guesses?]]

[once finished (and his eyes flicker with something when he reads the invisible text), he leans back in his chair and scrubs at his face]

. . . so we can end this stupid "game" with only three deaths instead of-- however many might happen if we refused.

[ha. it doesn't take a mathmetician to know the answer to this problem]

If you want to prevent people from getting hurt, then why are you going along with the other rules in the first place?

[abhoth]

Though this may surprise you, The Innkeeper is bound to the rules just as much as any other player in this cruel game. I am a facilitator, yes. But it is not a matter of choosing to go along, as it is of having little other choice.

[So sad. So tragic.]

This is the only act of rebellion I am capable of without alerting their god to my less than loyal thoughts. It is a rebellion by proxy.

[nowyouseeit]

[oddly enough, that answer seems to satisfy him. he reaches for a pen, but doesn't prick his finger yet, instead opting to twirl it around as he speaks]

Then who is over you, Craftly? Is there any way to stop this directly at the source?

[he's trying!!]

[abhoth]

I'm afraid not. There is not much to be done against a god, after all. And facing one personally? Perish the thought! Your brain would dribble out through your ears the moment you lay your eyes on them.

This is the safest way to put a stop to this, for both you and I.

[nowyouseeit]

[taps the pen against the table, gaze flickering down at the contract. he's silent for another thirty seconds ago, before he sneers]

. . . I'll accept that answer for now. But if you did your research right, then you know I'm the kind of person who likes to find answers outside of the rules.

God or not.

[KAITO WHAT CAN YOU DO AGAINST A GOD???]

[but he finally pricks his thumb with the pen and presses it against the contract, with enough force to smudge his thumbprint underneath]

The last part-- [gestures to the invisible text] -- is secondary to saving people's lives.

[abhoth]

We shall see. That would be a pleasant twist in this grim ordeal, wouldn't it be?

[And just like for Yukina, Kaito's blood will light up with a golden hue on the contract before returning to its natural color.]

If you have any additional inquiries, I am here to answer them.

HUNTER MEET 'N GREET (definitely not detectives)

[nowyouseeit]

[and once everyone is done asking Craftly questions and casually signing blood oaths, Kaito leans back in his chair, hands linked behind his head, and props his feet on the table]

[rude brat]

Huh. At least I'm here with two familiar faces, yeah?

[thawedheart]

[She's more relaxed now that signing their souls away in blood is over and done with.]

I'm glad for that, as well. I had already intended to share information with Jay-san, so... [She has a good feeling about this? Actually, you know what, she's just going to say that.] I have a good feeling about this group.

[ninjay]

[ jay is relieved because if someone like mabel had been in this and he had to deal with her hitting on him while signing a blood oath he would just give up ]

Let's do our best then, shall we? It looks like we can at least skip surface introductions, so I'd like to ask a question... Did the two of you receive anything yesterday?

[nowyouseeit]

[hhhesitation, but he pulls his feet off the table and leans forward with a nod]

I did, yeah. With a title attached to it.

[he reaches to his-- side?? like he's grabbing something attached to his belt? and then places whatever it is on the table]

Gangster.

[it's a handgun. he holds up four fingers]

Four shots. "Should I fire at those who have selected to speak the words of monsters, my aim will be true." I assume that's talking about these, uh. Prophets.

[thawedheart]

[Yukina's eyes widen slightly when the gun appears on the table.]

I wasn't given anything physical, but... they did give me a title. "The Paranoid". [She is not sure how she feels about that, honestly.] And with it, an ability... to turn the tables on the Prophets. If they come for me, I'll survive.

But I'll be considered that week's culprit, and... I imagine the other Prophets would try to have me executed for it.

[ninjay]

A double-edged sword then... [ at least kaito and he can try to shift the blame away from her, but if they try too hard it might become suspicious. ]

I'm the Explorer, apparently. I was given maps.

[ he pulls them out of his pocket, setting them on the table. ]